UFC 262 Early Prelims play-by-play and results

On Saturday night from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, the Ultimate Fighting Championship opened its 12-fight card with a trio of UFC 262 early prelims bouts on streaming services UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+. Usually, this portion of events featuring Octagon first-timers or rising talents in various divisions. Which it does with several Dana Whites Contender Series alum. However, three matchups also include several veterans of the promotion looking to improve their stock in the organization. In this space, we will be dropping play-by-play and results at the conclusion of each bout.

UFC 262 Early prelims open with Giagos rebounding from rough first to put Soriano to sleep in the second

Lightweights Christos Giagos and Sean Soriano opened the action inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Early in the round, both landed strikes that knocked the other off balance. The striking battle did not last long before Giagos looked to initiate a grappling battle. However, Soriano was patient and defended the grappling advance. Near the midway point, Soriano’s advantages in the striking became evident as he wobbled “The Spartan” and was landing at will. Soriano stunned his opponent several times and looked impressive in his first-round back in the Octagon since 2015.

Thirty seconds into the second frame and Giagos took the fight where he needed it. To the mat. The 31-year-old was in side-control momentarily before Soriano looked to scramble back to his feet. In the transition to get up, Giagos was able to snatch up his opponent’s neck and lock in a d’arce choke a minute into the round and the win.

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Giagos wins for the fourth time in six UFC appearances and scores his fourth career submission victory. It’s a disappointing short-notice return for Soriano. After working his way back from being released by the promotion in 2015. He showcased great stand-up in the first, but was quickly out grappled and put to sleep in the second round. He is now winless in all four of his UFC appearances.

Tucker Lutz hands Kevin Aguilar a fourth straight Octagon loss via unanimous decision

UFC newcomer Tucker Lutz and promotional veteran Kevin Aguilar tested the waters with their strikes over the first couple of minutes of the opening round. Both were active but Lutz was the fighter landing the memorable shots as he mixed things up well with punches and kicks, and worked up and down his target. With a little over a minute left in the round, “Top Gun” landed a takedown that likely secured his first round in the UFC.

Aguilar came out aggressive in the second. Maybe sensing he needed a win after losing his last three in the Octagon. Lutz maintained his striking advantages throughout the round and landed a nasty left hook often. However, Aguilar showed a lot of toughness and was game throughout as his opponent bloodied him. Once again, with a little over a minute left, the 26-year-old landed another points scoring takedown. “The Angel of Death” was able to get back to his feet with time left, although he likely went into the final round down two.

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Like the previous round, Aguilar came out aggressive and seemed to have some momentum behind him until a nice uppercut from Lutz slowed him down. Much of the first two minutes were for the DWCS contract winner as he showed urgency throughout. However, Lutz smartly got a takedown to keep his foe grounded for a minute and slow the pace. The promotional debutante was in prevent mode for the last half of the round as Aguilar pushed to land a strike that could score him a last-minute win.

In the end, Lutz scored the unanimous decision to win his UFC debut and a twelfth straight fight. Aguilar has now lost four in a row after winning his first two Octagon appearances. His spot on the roster is certainly in danger tomorrow morning.

Priscila Cachoeira stops Gina Mazany in the second and wins second-straight in the Octagon

The early prelims at UFC 262 came to a close with a women’s flyweight bout between Gina Mazany and Priscila Cachoeira. Mazany pushed forward aggressively right away with strikes to close the distance. She took a solid right from the Brazilian but she got the fight to the ground where she needed it. The 32-year-old was able to keep the fight there for much of the round and land some solid ground-and-pound throughout the grappling exchanges. “Pedrita” was able to return the fight to the feet with a minute left and put her opponent in danger, but Mazany landed a third takedown to finish out the round.

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Fifteen seconds in the second round and the Alaskan once again got the fight to the mat. Cachoeira tried valiantly at times to try and get the fight back to where she has the advantage, but Mazany’s ground game proved several levels above her opponent’s. However, the referee chose to get the action back up and Cachoeira became a wave of momentum against the exhausted Mazany. Landing big strikes over and over and badly hurting her foe. With just seconds left in the round, referee Mike Beltran had seen enough damage delivered and called an end to the fight.

After a difficult first round, Cachoeira scored an impressive technical knockout victory with just nine seconds left in the second round. After losing her first three fights in the UFC, she has now won two straight by knockout. Mazany moves to 1-2 in the Octagon following a 2019 release and one-fight stint outside the promotion.